John Muldoon was
unable to attend at short notice due to illness and so the meeting
was chaired by Jan Dando

Apologies

John Muldoon and
Keith Jones

Approval of Minutes
of the Last Meeting 2nd September 2012

These were duly
accepted as a true and accurate record.

Proposed by BD
and seconded by DL.

Completed Actions

Para 10 – Markers
and Umpires for the Spanish Nationals. BD stated that KJ is
no longer the president of the CBUMA. However KJ will still
be attending the LBD meetings on behalf of the CBUMA. The new
president is Barry Norris of Country Bowls. DL will still
check that the invitation will go out and she will inform JM
of the request. RC asked if there was any remuneration and
BD stated 10 euros per session.

Para 11 – National
Triples. This competition did not take place. JC is still
looking to put a triples onto the Malaga calendar. GM asked
why it wasn’t held and BD confirmed that Valencia could not fit the
regional rounds into their calendar last year. RC asked
whether national competitions should take precedent over local
competitions and the Valencian Delegate and the Treasurer stated
that it does not at the moment and also there is nothing in the
budget for it for 2013. A discussion took place regarding the 2013
competitions and BD stated that it was not going to be
possible to put any more competitions into the calendar this year. GM
asked JD if we agreed that we could run a national triples in
Almeria area within the next 12 months on the same basis as the
Grass Green Fours. JD stated that it had taken a lot of work
to get the regional calendar up and running and would it be worth
our while disorganizing it if the other regions were not prepared to
travel. GM put forward a proposal that in the second quarter
of 2014 an Open National Mixed Triples is held in the Almeria region
open to all federated bowlers with no club affiliation but must have
regional affiliation. Seconded by RC. All agreed.

Para 14e – LBD
Statutes. Names are correct

Para 14f – Champion
of Champions. KJ finished a very creditable 5th
out of 26

Matters Arising from
Previous Minutes

Para 5a – Report
from JD’smeeting with the Costa Almeria Lawn Bowls
committee (CALB). JD had attended a meeting with the CALB
and the general feedback was that registering the association had
not been dismissed out of hand but, at this moment in time, they
were going to remain as they were. The general consensus of the LBD
was that it is good that dialogue is taking place between the two
committees and JD is now invited to all CALB meetings.

The question arose
as to what would happen if there were any incidents during C.A.L.B.
competitions where disciplinary proceedings might be needed. For
example, if there was a fight on the green between a member of
Indalo and Almeria during a match at Cabrera who would deal with the
matter. JD agreed to ask the question.

JC
asked if the C.A.L.B. always use federated umpires and markers and
the answer from RC was no.

Treasurers Report

Mileage Allowance (DL/JM)
– Because since September DL hasn’t managed to discuss the
matter with JM no figure has been arrived at. GM said
that the original set up was that the petrol allowance should be
sufficient to cover the journey made. BD suggested that we
put forward a proposal that we come into line with the amount the
Federation pay. Seconded by JD. DL to confirm that
the fees are currently 19 centimos per kilometre. All agreed.

At this moment in
time DL has had nothing from Madrid since November 2012 and
that was only paying the December 2011 invoices and some odds and
ends. Current state of affairs is that in total Madrid are indebted
to us for €15,223.29 of which €13,370.76 was the statement that was
sent through to Madrid which goes from January 2012 through to
October 2012. In January a request has been sent for a further
€2000.00 approx. Currently our bank balance is €1217.93 of which we
have a bill to pay to Greenlands of €786.00 which covers the test
match against Portugal. GM asked if the shortfall of money
incurred by Bowls Travel at the Atlantic championships has been
included in the statement. DL said not at the moment and this
is in large amount due to the fact that we are constantly working in
arrears on promised money from the Federation and there is currently
no money in the coffers.

European
Championships 2013

In the absence of
JM BD gave a report on the current state of affairs for the
European Championships. Gary Collins has resigned as the president
of the European Championships. Eddie Williams has taken over and
will be in Spain for a week on 7th April to inspect the
greens etc. There is currently a difference of opinion between
World Bowls and the English Bowls Union (EBU) regarding the status
of the Canary Islands to enter as a separate team but JM has
written to the EBU and World Bowls to get a definitive answer. All
is going well and a committee is in place currently looking for
sponsorship and financial support from Valencia, the Spanish Sports
Council and the Tourism Industry. RC asked when does all
this have to be in place by and BD said there is nothing to
pay up front. GM asked what will happen if the money is not
forthcoming but BD does not feel that will be the case.
GM requested that a letter be written to Señor Boto to say that
we must be guaranteed the money by a certain date or the tournament
would not be able to take place.

Umpires and Markers
Shirts (KJ) At previous International competitions KJ
has attended the Umpires and Markers have been provided with shirts
by the host country. KJ asked whether any provision been
allowed in the budget for this item. If so it may be prudent to set
the ball rolling with shirt manufacturers. BD stated that
this has not been allocated but there is a contingency fund that
could bbe used. JM to decide which shirts would be purchased
and also which logo should be printed on them.

World
Championships 2012 Report (JM)

In mid-November 2012,
10 players and 3 officials set off for Adelaide Australia to
represent Spain in the world bowls championships of 2012.

We all knew this was
going to be a difficult task, but one that we looked forward to and
relished the challenge of competing with the cream of the world’s
bowlers.

We reached Adelaide
to find hot sunny weather with the usual Adelaide breeze. The squad
had 3 practice days to get used to the quick greens and the
continuous cross winds. We all knew we could have done with more
time, however money is always a reason for not being able to do
that.

When the tournament
commenced, the ladies started with pairs and triples, and the men
with singles and fours. The second week was a reversal of this. All
squad players gave their all, and against the finest bowlers in the
world, turned in some very good performances, although the sickness
bug that spread through the men’s team did not help preparations.
Special mention must go to the ladies pairs who finished 4th
in their section.

In conclusion on the
playing front, we had some success and some results which showed
narrow defeats, when the rub of the green is not going for you,
however we must look at the positives in our play, learn from our
defeats and build for the future.

Spanish Nationals
2012 Update (JM)

In the absence of
JM BD gave this report: This year the committee is fairly new
but Dominic Mills has agreed to undertake the draws etc. June Jones
has sent out the entry forms to delegates. DL wished it
minuted that all entries are to be collated by the federation reps.
with all monies to be paid into the LBD account. Venues will be
selected shortly but they will be in the South Alicante area.

Spanish National
Bowls Coaching Scheme (JM

In the absence of
JM RC took this matter on. At the moment we only have
instructors and we have not created coaches so far. An incident has
occurred in the North Valencia region; one of the instructors broke
her wrist and decided not to federate this year as she is unable to
bowl. One of the other Instructors in the region took it upon
himself to say she could not therefore instruct/coach because she
was no longer federated and would therefore not be covered by the
Federation insurance. RC feels that being federated is not a
requirement to become an instructor/coach but we do charge
non-federated members more than federated members when running the
courses. We also have the same thing happening with another person
in that region. DL asked what cover a person would have if
they were carrying out instructor/coaching duties and had an
accident if they were not federated. BD informed the meeting
that the Federation must have insurance.

This matter was
discussed at length and it was decided that it is not ideal if they
are not federated but it would be preferred that they were due to
the insurance cover provided by the Federation. JC agreed to
discuss the matter with Mr. Winterton to clarify the situation on
behalf of JM.

RC stated that the
above situation was dealt by Mrs. Pat Metcalf and a federation
representative without her knowledge and she feels that it was
difficult to be the National Coach and have no communication with
the persons in authority in the Valencian Region. DL stated
that JM has asked that the meeting be informed that Mrs.
Metcalf no longer has any involvement in the SNBCS.

JC
asked whether the Tri-provincial scheduled 22-24 June 2013 will be
going ahead. Both JC and JD are keen to keep this on
the calendar. After lots of discussion about the costs, the fact
that this is not in the budget for 2013 and the chance that people
are not going to be willing to travel JM to make the final
decision as soon as possible as to whether this competition will go
ahead and to issue documentation to the delegados if it is decided
that it will go ahead.

Bowls Travel
(KJ)

KJ wished to inform
the meeting that following letters of complaint between himself and
Barclaycard and supplying information provided by GM and John
Rudkin (who had also booked through Bowls Travel) that all KJs
money has been refunded. They commented that having reviewed
the newspaper articles and documentation provided, and although they
did not have the documentation to support his claim, "as a gesture
from us, we have settled the claim." KJ had advised them
that he would be taking his complaint to the Ombudsman under
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Whether this influenced
Barclaycard or not he did not know.

World Bowls
Singles Champion of Champions 2013 (KJ)

KJ understands that
the invitations for the World Bowls Singles Champion of Champions in
Christchurch from November 25th to December 1st 2013 have been
received by Pat Metcalfe. June Jones and Russell Marks are
intending to participate subject to costings. Can the LBD confirm
that June and Russell will be receiving a letter from JM
requesting that they represent Spain in the Championships and that a
sum of 500€ each will be provided to assist with expenses as is
normal for travelling to Australia and New Zealand.

DL
stated that the budget is currently under review and awaiting
approval. GM said that this matter should to be dealt with
directly via the National Director.

Mrs. Jones has also
asked whether she would be able to borrow a Spanish shirt for the
Championships but, unfortunately this is not permitted as Mrs. Jones
is there representing her club and not Spain. JM to inform
Mrs. Jones of this.

National Grass
Green Fours (JD)

JD has asked the
Cabrera federated representatives as to whether their greens will be
ready for this competition in June and was informed that they should
be. JM to arrange inspection before the end of February to
make a final decision as to whether this competition will go ahead.

Kings Cup/Almeria
v Malaga Matches October 2012 (JC)

Indalo were the
winners of the 2012 competition. JC said that even though
the Valencian Kings Cup winners did not attend and it was very
difficult to arrange the competition to get a qualified Malaga team
JC was very appreciative of all the work put in by Almeria.
JD and JC were disappointed there was no contingent
from Valencia. BD said they were promised a substantial
amount to cover expenses for travelling/accommodation and team
members were not willing to travel until the money was in hand.
BD will not do anything in future until he has an amount in
writing of how much is to be given to support this competition
financially. JC has not received any money so far. DL
to speak to JM regarding this matter.

GM
asked where the trophy is. BD said it was held at San Miguel
and Sabrina Marks gave it to JM to bring down but as JM
did not attend no one knows where it is. JM to investigate.

JD
asked what is happening about the 2013 competition and BD
said the same would occur if there was insufficient funding
available for travelling/accommodation. After discussion it was
decided that if the winners in whatever region were not willing or
able to travel for the final then the position should be offered to
the runners up – all agreed. JD and JC to put dates
into their calendars for regional finals and also the main final in
September.

Malaga v Spain
Match February 2013 (JC)

JC reported that
this is all in hand and the event will be taking place at Santa
Maria on 2/3 February 2013. JC would like to keep this event
on the calendar.

Andalucian
Championships 2012 (JC)

JC apologised to
JD for the delay in getting the information out to the clubs but
he should know what is happening by Tuesday 29th January.

Miraflores are
willing to hold the championships at no financial risk to the
federation. JD asked that she be involved in the decision
regarding the rules etc. It has been suggested that the Canary
Islands are invited and JC asked what the feeling was about
that. As they are federated in their own right it was agreed that
this would not be prudent.

Golden Leaves
Sponsorship (JC)

JC has informed
JM regarding the possible sponsorship of a large competition but
has yet to receive a reply.

Suggestion for
the format of the Spanish Nationals from Mr. T. Frowd (JC)

Mr. Frowd has
submitted a suggestion that takes into consideration the clubs, and
local or Costa Del Sol (CDS) bowling rules. It is designed to tempt
and encourage bowlers that live permanently on the CDS to compete in
the Nationals Championships. Mr. Frowd suggests that all Federated
members join one club as pay and play members with a suggested
membership fee of €2.00 per annum. This would allow members to
remain in their current clubs and compete in local league and CDS
events under their clubs’ umbrella. When competing in Federation
events they would play under the umbrella of their second membership
pay and play club. All players registered with pay and play would
then have more of a chance to play in all events whether at local or
national level. Mr. Frowd suggested that the Belplaya could be used
as the “pay and play” club.

This was discussed
at length but I was decided that this would mean that there could
then no longer be any federated interclub competitions in the Malaga
region as all the members of the federation would belong to one club
only. As such, the majority of the committee also felt that this
would be going against the basic spirit of the federation for club
based competitions. JC would like the opinion of JM
before giving Mr. Frowd a reply.

Any Other
Business

Federation
Subscriptions 2013.

Both JD and
BD were concerned at the suggested increase in the Federation
Fees in both regions, particularly as the fees had already been
collected at the suggested rates. BD said that he has
pointed out to Mr. Tony Winterton that increases in subscriptions
can only be agreed/ratified at the FEB Annual General Meeting which
does not take place for a couple of months. Therefore all parties
have agreed to pay the agreed lower amount until the decision is
made at the AGM and then further steps might have to be taken to
recoup the shortfall.